Repetitive usage of one body muscle sector than the other and incorrect postures a human body takes and practices on a regular basis may cause muscle imbalances in a human body. A muscle imbalance should be paid adequate attention since both neurological and physical performances can be severely affected due to imbalances as time progresses. Current clinical practices of imbalance identification as in gait and posture analysis, movement analysis, joint range of motion analysis and muscle length analysis require and 100% depend on domain expertise and experience. Technical methods of imbalance identification as in X-Rays and CT scans also require the assistance of domain experts to interpret the results and the cost and time an individual has to bear for this is excessive. To overcome cost, time and domain expertise constraints, this research propose a mechanism for an individual to self- identify body imbalances and track their progress with treatments. To analyse the imbalance, Kinect, a motion capturing device which is able to track human skeleton, its joints and body movements within its sensory range is used. Primary consideration is tracking the human gait cycle and posture via Kinect motion capture device and differentiating the deviation of standard gait and posture patterns. The outcome of this study will be a self-identification method of human skeletal imbalances initially for physiotherapy and physical fitness areas.
Keywords: Gait and Posture; Kinect; Musculoskeletal imbalance
